A large group of demonstrators protested the Los Angeles Dodgers honoring a drag troupe of self-described “queer and trans nuns” on Friday.
Crowds gathered outside Dodger Stadium, where the team would later recognize the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at its annual Pride Night celebration. The group has outraged Catholics due to certain antics, such as pole dancing on a cross, that they say are a mockery of their faith.
The rally on Friday was organized by a group called Catholics for Catholics, which disseminated flyers that called on people to join “in prayerful response to Dodgers’ godless decision to honor blasphemous, Christ-mocking ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,’” according to local news station KTLA.
A massive group of Catholics and Christians have arrived outside of Dodger Stadium to pray in protest of the Dodgers honoring the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence."
pic.twitter.com/HYprx1N16l— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 16, 2023
Catholics for Catholics touted “over 5K Strong!! Massive outpouring!” at the end of the prayer rally.
HUGE SUCCESS! Prayer Rally Officially Concludes. Over 5K strong!! Massive outpouring! @JackPosobiec pic.twitter.com/y202RAGE2g
— Catholics for Catholics (@CforCatholics) June 17, 2023
The Dodgers carried on with recognizing the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during a pre-game ceremony despite the controversy. Two members of the group, “Sister Unity” and “Sister Dominia,” appeared on the field and received the award while fans in a sparsely crowded stadium watched and cheered.
There were some boos as well, as heard in a video posted to social media posted by Turning Point USA’s Savanah Hernandez.
DODGER STADIUM-The “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” are recognized for Pride night to a mostly empty audience.
Two Dodgers fan nearby begin loudly booing after they’re announced: pic.twitter.com/OO6NT5RIc8
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 17, 2023
“The Dodgers community hero award goes to an organization reaching the LGBTQ+ community, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, LA chapter,” said stadium announcer Todd Leitz, per Fox News. “Please join us in recognizing the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for their outstanding service to the LGBTQ+ community.”
Though members of the group insist they are engaging in satire while promoting “human rights” and “diversity,” critics remain strongly opposed to the bawdy caricature of the Catholic religion and cheered on the large turnout for the protest.
“If they even cover it many in our now openly deceitful media will lie & report that Christian protestors showed up outside Dodger Stadium tonight to protest ‘Pride’ or the ‘Trans’ movement,” tweeted Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). “What they won’t report is that the FACT that the protest was against the @Dodgers honoring an anti-Christian hate group.”
The stadium appears to have filled up for the ball game itself on Friday night. ESPN reported the attendance reached 49,074 fans, or 88% percent of the stadium’s capacity of about 56,000 people. The visiting San Francisco Giants defeated the Dodgers 7-5 in the 11th inning.
CLARIFICATION: To those questioning my observation regarding the empty stadium for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, it was a comparison of how there were thousands of Catholics protesting outside (4.5 hours before the game was set to begin). The Dodgers have ONE Pride night a… pic.twitter.com/pwvgQC89Qk
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 17, 2023
While the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were honored before the game started, Hernandez said that the team “recognized a new LGBTQ member at the end of every inning. They specifically chose to recognize the sisters before the majority of fans would be present.”
The Dodgers had disinvited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence last month, but within days reversed that decision and issued an apology to the group while facing backlash from LGBTQ organizations. In the days that followed, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw announced this team would be hosting a “Christian Faith and Family Day” at the end of July.
“Excited to announce the relaunch of Christian Faith and Family Day at Dodger Stadium on July 30th.” Kershaw said in a tweet. “More details to come— but we are grateful for the opportunity to talk about Jesus and determined to make it bigger and better than it was before COVID. Hope to see you on July 30th!”